Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Relations issued a note informing that the Lula administrations “was adamantly opposed to the terrorist attack that resulted in the death of Rafik Hariri, member of the Lebanese Congress and ex-Prime Minister, together with another ex-minister, Bassel Fleihan, as well as wounding dozens of other Lebanese citizens in Beirut.”
The note adds that the Brazilian government “expresses its concern over the eventual consequences of this terrorist action and confides in Lebanese officials to identify and punish the criminals and their instigators.”
According to the Ministry, Hariri visited Brazil in 1995 and 2003, “contributing to the improvement of bilateral relations and the strengthening of friendly ties between the peoples of Brazil and Lebanon.”
The note also informs that “the Brazilian government recognizes the important contribution made by ex-prime minister Hariri to domestic peace, political stablilization, and the reconstruction of Lebanon, after many years of war.”
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva sent a condolence message to the Lebanese government and Rafik Hariri’s family.
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